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“Oh my.”
“She is my mother’s sister, you are my cousin, I will not allow harm to befall you. But, as I again noted to Richard, there are two members of the family that are conspicuous by their absence over the last half decade.”
Anne was a smart woman.
“You will not come back.”
“I think it is best that there is a break of at least a year.”
She looked downcast.
“You are welcome at Darcy House, or Pemberley, whenever you want. I will send a carriage, ensure that you are comfortable on the journey.”
“I know that William, I really do. Georgie asks me to visit in practically every letter. I feel trapped, and I do not want to attempt to plan a visit to find out that I am truly trapped.”
Darcy’s face was set in a grim line.
“I am tempted to tell you that you will be accompanying Richard and I when we return to London. But that is just kidnapping you rather than keeping you here. Perhaps the best way to describe it is to say that if you choose to leave with us I will support you completely. You are of age, and can make your own choices.”
Anne reached over and squeezed Darcy’s hands.
“Thank you. I will give the matter serious consideration. Now let us change the subject. How have you found the season?”
The next hour was spent reviewing the six or seven weeks of the season before the trip to Kent. It took all of Anne’s self-control not to question Darcy about a certain young lady that featured frequently in the story of the season. Georgie had alluded to Miss Elizabeth Bennet in her letters but had not broken her brother’s confidence. Now Anne could ask her directly having heard about the young lady straight from the horse’s mouth. As soon as she returned to her room she went straight to her desk, excited to send a letter off to her young cousin.
Darcy and the Colonel were returning to London on Wednesday the 24th of March, despite daily exhortations from Lady Catherine that they must stay until after Easter. Neither man made any effort to placate her, merely repeating their day of departure. On the Monday prior to their departure a dinner was organised at Rosings with the three occupants of the parsonage invited as well. Their arrival and the time spent before and during dinner only produced three cringe worthy moments, two less than Darcy and the Colonel had guessed beforehand. There was no separation of the sexes after dinner so the whole company removed to the drawing room. The problems started innocently enough.
“I was unaware that you and Mr. Collins were courting when I left Netherfield Park. I was not the most attentive of guests at the Ball but I do not recall you dancing with Mr. Collins.”
Darcy really was just making polite conversation, still something that did not come naturally to him. He was surprised to see Mrs. Collins flush.
“No, I did not dance with my husband at the Ball. We were not yet courting.”
Darcy had to school his face, how long had his aunt allowed Mr. Collins to remain in Hertfordshire? Collins himself had mentioned to Darcy that he was leaving the following Saturday. He needed to change the subject, and quickly.
“I mentioned to Miss Bennet that the parsonage is immaculate. It was only later that I recalled Lucas Lodge was similarly tidy. You must be very pleased to have your own establishment.”
It was at moments like this that Darcy realised how easy small talk could be. Jane Bennet had told Darcy that Charlotte Collins had longed for her own establishment. All he had to do was mention this, and how well presented she had made her home, and the lady could preen. And talk. Five minutes passed effortlessly as he let the young lady quietly boast of her good fortune. As always, such moments of easy peace and calm were rent asunder by the dulcet tones of Lady Catherine. There could never be any private discourse without her ‘having my share in the conversation’.
As for the Reverend Collins, when Darcy and the Colonel had visited the parsonage he had been less obsequious in his manner. Richard had nothing to compare him to, but Darcy thought he saw the calming influence of his wife. Unfortunately, any improvements were instantly undone when in the company of Lady Catherine. At one point Darcy was sure the man was going to topple over he bowed so low. It was when his aunt started her familiar refrain about his supposed engagement that Darcy could feel the tension in his frame. He was not hiding it well judging by the concerned looks from both of his cousins. Having an emptyheaded toady echo the words did not help. Darcy, with little thought to the propriety of his actions, turned his back on the company and stood at the window. It took several deep cleansing breaths to regain a semblance of equanimity. He finally returned to the rest of the party but deliberately sat at the end of the group, next to Jane Bennet. It was clear she was going to say nothing without him initiating the conversation.
“My apologies for my abrupt manner.”
“I understand.”
Given Darcy had met her own mother he knew that she really did understand. Darcy found that he was struggling to start a conversation. It was so different to when he was talking with her sister. The silence was starting to become awkward.
“How was the winter in Hertfordshire?”
He cringed internally, this was beyond awful. But Jane Bennet was grateful for any conversational lifeline.
“Quiet, too quiet at times. It is the season where you are stuck indoors for many days. Breaks in the weather allow us to visit our aunt in Meryton. It must be the same at your estate.”
The differences in the weather between Derbyshire and Hertfordshire eased the tension and the conversation flowed more freely.
“I stood up with Charlotte at her wedding and she requested that I visit once the worst of the winter was passed. It was something to look forward to, and it is nice to escape from Longbourn.”
“Escape?”
